High-pressure capillary degas assembly

Abstract

A high-pressure capillary degas assembly includes an assembly block having an eluent inlet and an eluent outlet, and a separator support extending therebetween, a wash inlet and a wash outlet and a groove extending therebetween, a tubular separator extending within the assembly block, the separator having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an eluent fluid line fluidly interconnecting the eluent inlet and outlet, the outer surface abutting against the separator support and enclosing the groove to define a wash line within the groove. The separator may be configured to retain liquid in the eluent fluid line at a first pressure and allow gas to flow through the separator to the wash fluid line at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. A method of using the high-pressure capillary degas assembly is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A high-pressure capillary degas assembly comprising:
 an assembly block including an eluent inlet and an eluent outlet, and a separator support extending therebetween, the assembly block also including a wash inlet and a wash outlet and a groove extending therebetween; 
 a tubular separator extending within the assembly block, the separator including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an eluent fluid line fluidly interconnecting the eluent inlet and outlet, the outer surface abutting against the separator support and enclosing the groove to define a wash line within the groove; 
 wherein the separator is configured to retain liquid in the eluent fluid line at a first pressure and allow gas to flow through the separator to the wash fluid line at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. 
 
     
     
       2. The degas assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly block comprises a plurality of grooves extending between the wash inlet and the wash outlet, wherein outer surface of the separator encloses each of the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
       3. The degas assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grooves extend radially away from the separator. 
     
     
       4. The degas assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grooves extend along substantially the entire length of the separator. 
     
     
       5. The degas assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of grooves collectively form the wash line which extends coaxially around the eluent line. 
     
     
       6. The degas assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the assembly block comprises a cut at least partially encircling the tubular separator fluidly coupled with one of the wash inlet and wash outlet, the annular cut interconnecting the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
       7. The degas assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the cut is an annular cut encircling the tubular separator. 
     
     
       8. The degas assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein one or more of plurality of grooves helically spiral about the tubular separator. 
     
     
       9. The degas assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein two or more of the plurality of grooves intersect one another fluidly coupling the two or more grooves with one another. 
     
     
       10. The degas assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the assembly block comprises upper and lower plates, and respective upper and lower supports on the upper and lower plates. 
     
     
       11. The degas assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the upper and lower plates have corresponding seal channels extending parallel to the separator support, the corresponding seal channels receiving a seal therein to fluidly seal the wash line. 
     
     
       12. The degas assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the upper and lower plates have corresponding mating surfaces, wherein at least one of said plurality of grooves extends away from the separator and parallel to the mating surfaces. 
     
     
       13. The degas assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the upper and lower supports have an inner diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter the outer surface of the separator. 
     
     
       14. The degas assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner diameter of the upper and lower supports is less than the outer diameter of the separator thereby providing an interference fit between the separator and separator support. 
     
     
       15. The degas assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular separator has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
       16. The degas assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular separator comprises inert polymer tubing. 
     
     
       17. The degas assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the polymer tubing is amorphous fluoropolymer tubing. 
     
     
       18. The degas assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the polymer tubing is polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tubing. 
     
     
       19. The degas assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the eluent line receives eluent from an eluent generator at a pressure up to at least approximately 3000 psi. 
     
     
       20. The degas assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the eluent line receives eluent from an eluent generator at a pressure up to at least approximately 5000 psi. 
     
     
       21. A liquid chromatography system comprising:
 the degas assembly according to  claim 1 ; and 
 a pressurized liquid chromatography column; 
 wherein eluent flows from the eluent outlet of the assembly block to the chromatography column.